]]>Lyn Chitty is Clinical Director of the NIHR Clinical Research Network: North Thames and Professor of Genetics and Fetal Medicine at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. This October, Lyn’s most recent research made headline news with the announcement that the NHS will be introducing non-invasive prenatal testing for Down’s Syndrome.

Here, Lyn explains how she, and her team of researchers, approached an analysis of the costs and benefits of offering non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down’s Syndrome in the NHS and helped change future options for expectant mothers.

“For years amniocentesis has been the only option for women at high risk of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome. The test carries with it a small risk of miscarriage and as such many women choose not to have it.

In 2013 it became apparent that it was timely to evaluate the use of NIPT for Down’s Syndrome in the NHS. This non-invasive blood test is more accurate than current screening tests, and so reduces the number of women that need an invasive test to confirm a high risk result.

Our work analysed women’s views, test uptake and outcomes to better understand the costs and benefits of offering expectant mothers NIPT as part of the Down’s Syndrome screening programme in the NHS. We were supported all the way by Local Clinical Research Network staff across the country who helped recruit women to the trial in eight NHS maternity units.

We found that the non-invasive test uptake was high and, due to its sensitivity, we were able to increase the detection of Down’s Syndrome. By offering the non-invasive procedure we saw in a decrease in the number of invasive tests that were carried out. Importantly, our evaluation showed that offering NIPT in the NHS was cost neutral.

We published a write up of our work in the BMJ in July. This work was considered by the UK National Screening Committee who recommended that the government implemented the test. This recommendation that has recently received ministerial endorsement.

There are groups in the UK who are vocal about their objection to the test but, for me, this is about giving pregnant women a safe choice and providing parents with as much information as possible so that they can make informed decisions about their pregnancy.”

The NHS expects to begin rolling out the non-invasive test for Down’s Syndrome from 2018. Until then, work will be underway to ensure healthcare professionals receive high quality training so they can deliver the test and ensure that parents understand the choices they are making.

]]>Since joining the NHS Innovation Accelerator in 2015, Fellow Andrea Haworth has made significant impact with digital health innovation SAPIENTIA™ – a genome analytics software which enables healthcare professionals to interrogate the human genome for pathogenic mutations likely to be the cause of a patient’s inherited disease.

But what’s been the human impact of this healthtech innovation? A key benefit for patients and their families has been the ability to receive a genetic diagnosis, which has allowed them to move on with their lives. This is the Tolman’s story.

Margaret Tolman always knew her son, Ian (now 38), wasn’t simply ‘clumsy’, but, it took the Tolmans over 15 years of tests, questioning and misdiagnosis before a new type of genetic testing provided a conclusive diagnosis of Bardet-Biedl syndrome for their son.

This ‘patient odyssey’ is heartbreakingly common. Many common symptoms can hide those of underlying rare diseases. Additionally, there are over 7,000 known rare diseases, and symptoms for the same disease can vary from individual to individual, making diagnosis challenging for clinicians.

Patient odyssey of not being believed

Ian’s parents knew early on something was wrong with their youngest child. He kept bumping into objects and couldn’t see well in the dark. He also had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.

The Tolmans went from one clinic to another looking for answers. “It was so frustrating that no-one seemed to listen,” says Margaret Tolman. “Over the years we’ve seen various medical specialists but they’d focus on just one aspect of Ian’s health. None of the doctors seemed to think Ian had a serious problem.”

The breakthrough came when, during a routine eye check, the local optometrist noticed that Ian had unusual clumps on his retina and referred him to hospital for investigation.

Following tests, Ian was diagnosed with an inherited eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Margaret was sure this wasn’t the complete story, and continued to search for an answer. Eventually, Ian was referred to Professor Philip Beales at Guy’s Hospital Genetics Clinic, London.

Seeing the big picture with whole genome analysis

Although 80 per cent of rare diseases are genetic in origin, until recently it was very expensive to sequence someone’s genome.

As a result, genetic testing has been limited to looking at specific genes that are known to be associated with disease; such as the cystic fibrosis test. There are only a few of these tests available and they are generally performed to confirm a diagnosis based on other tests and a patient’s symptoms.

The big revolution in genetic testing has been the rapid fall in the cost of sequencing and the introduction of new tools. One such tool is Sapientia™, software developed by Congenica that can identify which gene variants are associated with disease throughout a patient’s entire genome.

Selected to be part of the NHS Innovation Accelerator in 2015, a number of NHS Trusts in the UK are in the process of validating the use of Sapientia™, including Birmingham, Dundee, Wessex, Liverpool and others. Manchester have already validated and are now routinely using Sapientia. This helps to manage the huge increase in demand for genomic analysis.

Sapientia provides all the tools and information in one place that a clinical geneticist requires to decide on a diagnosis. Once variants have been analysed, a report can be issued for each patient either directly in Sapientia, or the data can be exported to the hospitals reporting system. The data generated for each variant is also stored anonymously and shared with all users of Sapientia, to help others to diagnose their patients faster too.

The 100,000 Genome Project is supporting the adoption of whole genome analysis by NHS genetic centres and is using Sapientia from Congenica as a genome analysis platform. This means that it is now possible for NHS clinicians to look for mutations in whole genomes or exomes (the part of the genome known to code for proteins).

Conclusive diagnosis

Professor Beales took blood samples from Ian and applied whole genome analysis. This revealed that Ian had a mutation in the BBS1 gene, which is associated with Bardet-Beidl syndrome (BBS). Individuals with BBS typically suffer from deteriorating eyesight, extra fingers and/or toes and developmental impairment.

There is a genetic test for BBS but Ian was never considered for this, as a common feature of the disease is obesity, which Ian does not have.

With Sapientia, clinicians can record and retrieve all of a patient’s symptoms (or ‘phenotype’), alongside their genetic information, then they can link this with published literature to help confirm a diagnosis, all within the same web browser.

Although a diagnosis may not mean that there is a treatment available, just having this information is invaluable to patients and their families.

Margaret explains: “Getting a conclusive diagnosis has been helpful as we now know what syndrome Ian has, the stage he is at and how we can best plan for his future and help slow down any further deterioration.”

It also means that other members of the family can be made aware and get tested to determine if they carry the same recessive gene mutation.

Margaret continues: “We are very proud of Ian as he manages very well and is such a cheerful, strong character. He’s able to get around independently with a stick and can attend his college classes and make his own notes thanks to having some special speech equipment.

“Now with a conclusive diagnosis we do see ourselves as lucky,” concludes Margaret, “but it doesn’t stop us from hoping for a miracle cure.”

]]>http://uclpartners.com/the-human-impact-of-the-nhs-innovation-accelerator-the-tolmans-story/feed/0Successful ‘Better Births’ bid for North Central Londonhttp://uclpartners.com/successful-better-births-bid-for-north-central-london/
http://uclpartners.com/successful-better-births-bid-for-north-central-london/#commentsThu, 01 Dec 2016 16:12:17 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3606The North Central London (NCL) maternity network is one of seven maternity systems across England to be chosen by NHS England to lead the way in transforming local maternity services in line with the National Maternity Review, ‘Better Births’. The Network, which brings together commissioners (Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington CCGs), providers (North Middlesex, […]

]]>The North Central London (NCL) maternity network is one of seven maternity systems across England to be chosen by NHS England to lead the way in transforming local maternity services in line with the National Maternity Review, ‘Better Births’.

The Network, which brings together commissioners (Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington CCGs), providers (North Middlesex, Royal Free, UCLH and Whittington Health Trusts) and maternity service users in North Central London, has been selected to make improvements to maternity services for people living in Barnet, Enfield, Camden, Haringey and Islington over the next two years.

Improvements include developing a central system which will make it easier for women to access maternity services across the area and offer a more personalised approach to care. There will be a greater emphasis on community based maternity care, delivered by small groups of midwives within community hubs where the mum can access a wide range of relevant services. The aim is to ensure that women are able to get to know the midwives who can support them throughout and after pregnancy.

Work will begin in December 2016 to align the project with the NCL Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for maternity services where a detailed implementation plan will be developed. Changes are expected to take place over the next two years.

Julie Juliff, Head of Maternity Commissioning at Haringey CCG said:“It is absolutely crucial that all new and expecting mums and their families are able to access safe, high quality care that meet their needs.

We all look forward to working together to deliver improved maternity services that will support mums and help ensure their babies get the best start in life.”

UCLPartners will support the network in delivering these improvements and to evaluate progress.

Jenny Mooney, Head of Programmes at UCLPartners, said:“Being selected as one of only seven sites in the country to test a range of new innovative ways of working is a testament to the strength of North Central London’s vision to transform maternity services.

We are delighted to be working with, and supporting, our local partners on this important project that will have a demonstrable impact on the lives of local mothers and their families.”

]]>http://uclpartners.com/successful-better-births-bid-for-north-central-london/feed/0Exploring support for STPshttp://uclpartners.com/exploring-support-for-stps/
http://uclpartners.com/exploring-support-for-stps/#commentsThu, 01 Dec 2016 14:20:41 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3597For the first time leaders from Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STPs) footprints across the UCLPartners geography came together this month to explore opportunities for partnership support. Colleagues from four local STP footprints attended our round table event on 28 November and discussed the local health and care challenges with some of the country’s top clinical […]

]]>For the first time leaders from Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STPs) footprints across the UCLPartners geography came together this month to explore opportunities for partnership support.

Colleagues from four local STP footprints attended our round table event on 28 November and discussed the local health and care challenges with some of the country’s top clinical and academic experts in end of life care, mental health, healthcare evaluation, workforce development, diabetes and healthcare innovation. The purpose was to build on the links already in place between the partnership and emerging footprint plans; to understand how UCLPartners can best apply its expertise, in collaboration with local expertise and ambition, to enable the implementation of priorities of the STPs; and to identify some common areas that could be addressed across the whole UCLPartners geography.

Chaired by UCLPartners Interim Managing Director, Dr Charlie Davie, STP leaders contributed to an insightful debate about priority areas, providing clear suggestions about where UCLPartners and its areas of strength and influence might help accelerate pace and magnify impact. Of the themes that were highlighted, UCLPartners’ ability to collaborate across healthcare, academia and industry stood out as a unique offer.

Attendees heard thoughts and perspectives from:

Prof Gywn Bevan, Professor of Policy Analysis at LSE and CLAHRC lead for diabetes, provided insight into behavioural economics through examples of empowering populations and creating social movements for change

Dr Caroline Stirling, UCLPartners lead and National Clinical Director for End of Life Care, talked about the opportunities to improve care for people in the community rather than in hospital

Prof Peter Fonagy, UCLPartners lead for mental health, highlighted the need to dramatically reform the way care is provided for children and young people with mental health issues

Prof Mike Roberts, UCLPartners lead for population health, highlighted opportunities to radically change the way healthcare professionals are trained in the future

Dr Amanda Begley, UCLPartners Director of Innovation and Implementation, shared learning from the NHS Innovation Accelerator and details of the national Technology and Innovation Tariff. Through working collectively, we can mobilise expertise and adopt these innovations to radically improve health outcomes and create efficiency savings.

We will be continuing this conversation with partners across the region to help co-design and develop our best approaches to supporting colleagues in STPs. For further information and to join the conversation please email us at contact@uclpartners.com

]]>http://uclpartners.com/exploring-support-for-stps/feed/0Partnership Press – November 2016http://uclpartners.com/partnership-press-november-2016/
http://uclpartners.com/partnership-press-november-2016/#commentsThu, 01 Dec 2016 14:12:24 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3595The November edition of Partnership Press, our monthly newsletter, is now available. This month we’ve been talking Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) and report highlights from the first meeting of leaders from STP footprints across the UCLPartners geography. Read it now and subscribe for future editions. @UCLPartners #PartnershipPress

]]>http://uclpartners.com/partnership-press-november-2016/feed/0New Chair for UCLPartners Cardiovascular Academic Medical Centre announcedhttp://uclpartners.com/new-chair-uclpartners-cardiovascular-academic-medical-centre-announced/
http://uclpartners.com/new-chair-uclpartners-cardiovascular-academic-medical-centre-announced/#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2016 16:47:18 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3553Professor Steffen Petersen has been appointed as Chair of the UCLPartners Cardiovascular Academic Medical Centre. He takes on the role this month from Professor Mark Caulfield who is stepping down after three years in post. As Chair, Steffen is responsible for leading the ongoing development of UCLPartners Academic Health Science Centre’s (AHSC) strategy for cardiovascular […]

]]>Professor Steffen Petersen has been appointed as Chair of the UCLPartners Cardiovascular Academic Medical Centre. He takes on the role this month from Professor Mark Caulfield who is stepping down after three years in post.

As Chair, Steffen is responsible for leading the ongoing development of UCLPartners Academic Health Science Centre’s (AHSC) strategy for cardiovascular health, supporting world-class research, education and enterprise.

Steffen studied medicine at the University of Mainz in Germany and has worked in clinical practice in cardiology since graduating in 1998. He received a DPhil in 2005. Steffen is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, where he leads on large scale clinical trials and population based studies using cardiac imaging.

Professor David Lomas, Academic Director of UCLPartners and Vice-Provost (Health) at UCL, said: “I am delighted to welcome Steffen to this important leadership role within the AHSC. Steffen brings a wealth of cardiovascular research expertise and an excellent track record in population studies to this role. I am confident this will enable him to harness the world-class academic and clinical cardiovascular expertise that exists across the partnership and to build on the progress and achievements already made.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Caulfield, who has chaired the Cardiovascular Academic Medical Centre at UCLPartners since 2013 and successfully supported a partnership approach to discovery science in cardiovascular health.”

UCLPartners Cardiovascular Academic Medical Centre brings together expertise from across partner hospitals and universities to speed up the development of new treatments, diagnostics and prevention strategies for cardiovascular health. For further information, visit UCLPartners website.

]]>http://uclpartners.com/new-chair-uclpartners-cardiovascular-academic-medical-centre-announced/feed/0New standards for children’s out of hospital carehttp://uclpartners.com/new-standards-childrens-hospital-care/
http://uclpartners.com/new-standards-childrens-hospital-care/#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2016 12:51:24 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3550It is important that healthcare professionals and services can respond to the specific healthcare needs of children and young people. In response to this, Healthy London Partnership has been working with London healthcare professionals, young people and their families, providers and commissioners to publish out of hospital care standards for London’s children and young people. This […]

]]>It is important that healthcare professionals and services can respond to the specific healthcare needs of children and young people. In response to this, Healthy London Partnership has been working with London healthcare professionals, young people and their families, providers and commissioners to publish out of hospital care standards for London’s children and young people.

This document is aimed at commissioners and providers of out of hospital healthcare services for children. It has brought together information and standards for care into one place to enable the effective commissioning of services that meet these required minimum standards. Providers can use these standards to undertake a self-assessment of their ability to deliver the required quality of out of hospital care for children. They can be used to validate, challenge, to quality assure services and improve quality.

A compendium of case studies is also available online to provide details of out-of-hospital healthcare services for acutely unwell children. Find out how other organisations have developed place-based models of care for treating acutely unwell children and young people in the most appropriate location for their needs. Details are included where a service has carried out an evaluation and local contact details are provided for more information. UCLPartners has contributed to this compendium through its evaluation of the Whittington’s Hospital at Home service.

]]>http://uclpartners.com/new-standards-childrens-hospital-care/feed/0Two NIA companies recognised as UK’s Fastest Growing Technology Companies in Deloitte Technology Fast 50http://uclpartners.com/two-nia-companies-recognised-uks-fastest-growing-technology-companies-deloitte-technology-fast-50/
http://uclpartners.com/two-nia-companies-recognised-uks-fastest-growing-technology-companies-deloitte-technology-fast-50/#commentsTue, 22 Nov 2016 12:41:13 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3545Nervecentre Software and HealthUnlocked today announced that they are have been named as two of the fastest growing technology companies in the UK, in the 2016 Deloitte Technology Fast 50. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over the last four years, with Nervecentre Software being named as 5th with a growth of 2702 per […]

]]>Nervecentre Software and HealthUnlocked today announced that they are have been named as two of the fastest growing technology companies in the UK, in the 2016 Deloitte Technology Fast 50. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over the last four years, with Nervecentre Software being named as 5th with a growth of 2702 per cent, and HealthUnlocked 35th with a growth of 532 per cent, during this period. HealthUnlocked was also listed at the UK’s fastest growing company in the life sciences category.

Nervecentre Software and HealthUnlocked are two of 25 innovations on the NHS Innovation Accelerator, which aims to accelerate use of high impact innovations for patient benefit and to enable the change necessary within the NHS for proven innovations to be adopted faster and more systematically. The NIA has provided bespoke support to help optimise the reach of these innovations within the NHS in England. Both companies have been making a significant impact within healthcare in the past 12 months, supporting the NHS with innovation and implementation of their products.

The award is a recognition of the success and growth the organisations have seen over the past few years. It is the first time HealthUnlocked has appeared on this list.

Nervecentre Software provides leading-edge mobile applications to the NHS, offering clinicians better ways to manage and share patient information on their mobile devices. By allowing doctors and nurses instant access to a single real-time platform as they move around a hospital, they are able to communicate and collaborate more effectively and better leverage their resources.

HealthUnlocked is the third largest health website in the UK and in the top 20 health websites globally. With over 500,000 members and around 40 million users per year, it contributes to improving health outcomes and patient activation through use of its online health and wellbeing communities, that provide dedicated help, support and information for patients. Working with the NHS, their artificial intelligence (AI) recommendation engine provides personalised self-care recommendations designed to engage individuals with their health and improve outcomes.

Paul Volkaerts, Founder and CEO of Nervecentre Software said “Being ranked the 5th fastest growing technology company in the UK is fantastic recognition of what Nervecentre Software has achieved since starting six years ago. In 2015 we were very proud to achieve 14th place in this prestigious ranking so to now move up even further in the league table really reflects the on-going commitment and passion from everyone at Nervecentre.

“The award also shows how the company is in the perfect position to continue developing and applying new innovations to improve patient safety in hospitals using mobile technology. There are exciting times ahead for Nervecentre Software”

Dr Matt Jameson Evans, Chief Medical Officer said: “We are delighted to be recognised as one of the fastest growing tech companies of 2016. As an organisation we have been driving growth, expanding capability and developing products for the NHS, pharmaceuticals and insurance industry, that have the potential to support their business goals, expand our business, whilst at the same time improving health outcomes for people across the world.

David Cobb, partner leading the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50, said: “The 2016 Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 shows that tremendous growth rates are still possible, with software sectors showing particular strength, they have had the greatest amount of entries in the past four years.”

“The awards are an opportunity for businesses to gain recognition for their successes and achievements. This year’s ranking highlights the importance of being innovative, recruiting high-skilled talent and finding a niche product or service.”

]]>http://uclpartners.com/two-nia-companies-recognised-uks-fastest-growing-technology-companies-deloitte-technology-fast-50/feed/0UCLPartners AHSN stakeholder survey results publishedhttp://uclpartners.com/uclpartners-ahsn-stakeholder-survey-results-2016/
http://uclpartners.com/uclpartners-ahsn-stakeholder-survey-results-2016/#commentsMon, 21 Nov 2016 11:17:16 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3538NHS England and the country’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) have today published their annual AHSN stakeholder survey reports. Commissioned to help AHSNs understand how they are perceived to be delivering against objectives, the local report for UCLPartners demonstrates our positive impact in the uptake of innovation and facilitating collaboration across the health and […]

]]>NHS England and the country’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) have today published their annual AHSN stakeholder survey reports. Commissioned to help AHSNs understand how they are perceived to be delivering against objectives, the local report for UCLPartners demonstrates our positive impact in the uptake of innovation and facilitating collaboration across the health and care system.

The survey was sent out to a wide group of partners, members and others who have worked with UCLPartners AHSN over the past year. Colleagues from health and social care providers, industry, academia, clinical commissioning groups, patient groups, local government and the voluntary sector responded.

The report shows increased engagement from industry partners and recognition of our contribution to digital health, the NHS Innovation Accelerator and improvements in cardiovascular disease and mental health. Our work to facilitate collaboration; to identify, adopt and spread innovation; and in patient safety and quality improvement is highly valued by respondents. Highlights include:

100% of industry partners and 80% of CCGs would recommend working with us

96% of industry partners say they have a good working relationship with us

94% of respondents feel they have some understanding of the role of the AHSN

92% of respondents that have received support in facilitating collaboration found it valuable

On balance the report highlights areas for improvement, which we are working to address. This includes the need to clarify the plans and priorities of UCLPartners AHSN and how these are aligned to the needs of local patients and populations. The report also reflects the need to work more closely with our partners and develop priorities in line with their local requirements.

Dr Charlie Davie, Managing Director of UCLPartners AHSN, said: “Our founding principle at UCLPartners is partnership working and creating the connections that will make lasting improvements in patient and population health. This survey report provides useful insights into how we can work more effectively in partnership and I am committed to listening to our partners to shape this approach.

Our staff can be proud of the achievements and progress we are making to champion innovation and its translation into practice. Of the many examples, the NHS Innovation Accelerator is having a major impact on the adoption of innovation across the NHS as a result of our leadership.”

]]>http://uclpartners.com/uclpartners-ahsn-stakeholder-survey-results-2016/feed/0Eight health innovations to join successful NHS Innovation Acceleratorhttp://uclpartners.com/eight-health-innovations-to-join-successful-nhs-innovation-accelerator/
http://uclpartners.com/eight-health-innovations-to-join-successful-nhs-innovation-accelerator/#commentsMon, 14 Nov 2016 10:03:05 +0000http://uclpartners.com/?p=3511NHS England Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh along with US Digital Health expert Professor Robert Wachter revealed eight health innovations joining the NHS Innovation Accelerator at an event taking place in London to launch year two of the programme. Last year, the programme selected 17 innovations and supported their roll out across over 380 […]

]]>NHS England Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh along with US Digital Health expert Professor Robert Wachter revealed eight health innovations joining the NHS Innovation Accelerator at an event taking place in London to launch year two of the programme.

Last year, the programme selected 17 innovations and supported their roll out across over 380 NHS organisations, benefiting millions of NHS patients.

Each of the innovations are evidence-based and cost-saving and focus on providing solutions to key challenges facing the NHS, including better prevention of ill health, improved management of long term conditions and early intervention into diseases.

The innovations selected to join the programme include:

EpSMon: An epilepsy self-management tool which enables patients to monitor their well-being and know when to seek medical support, a behaviour change which could lead to a reduction in the number of deaths of people with epilepsy. Epilepsy costs the UK £1.5 billion per year and is one of the top 10 causes of death for those under the age of 70 and the third main cause of maternal deaths in the UK. This preventative tool could have a significant impact on the personal and financial costs of epilepsy through reductions in deaths and decrease in A&E appointments.

Sore Throat Test and Treat: A walk-in community pharmacy service where patients are tested to determine whether or not they need antibiotics, reducing pressure on the 1.2 million GP appointments currently used by patients with sore throat symptoms.

Serenity Integrated Mentoring (SIM): A collaborative model of care that sees a specialist, trained police officer working within community mental health teams to better mentor, encourage and support some of the most challenging, complex and high risk service users.

The announcement has been welcomed by NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens, he said: “Necessity is the mother of invention, and health care worldwide is now fizzing with smart innovation. In the NHS, we’re now taking practical action to develop and fast track these new techniques into mainstream patient care.”

The NHS Innovation Accelerator is led by NHS England and hosted by UCLPartners. It is delivered in partnership with the country’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks who facilitate and support health innovators with getting their innovation rolled out across the NHS.

The accelerator aims to meet the commitment set out the Five Year Forward View to create the conditions and cultural change necessary for proven innovations to be adopted faster and more systematically through the NHS.

Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS England’s National Medical Director, said: “With rising demand and escalating costs, innovation is not an option but a necessity if we are to build a sustainable NHS. The innovations selected for this programme have the potential to deliver better value for the taxpayer whilst making patient interactions with the NHS safer and more personal.”

Speaking at the launch event via video link, Professor Robert Wachter, said: “The work you are doing is extraordinarily important. I think it’s the only way that the NHS will be able to achieve the goals of the Five Year Forward View and even beyond that to develop a health care system for the people of England and the UK that delivers the best, highest quality, safest, most satisfying, accessible care for the lowest possible cost.”

Dr Liz Mear, Chair of the AHSN Network, said: “The AHSN Network has huge expertise through its connections across the NHS, academia and industry to deliver innovation at scale across the country. We are delighted to work in partnership with the NHS Innovation Accelerator and look forward to supporting the new Fellows over the coming months as they work to scale their innovations for system and patient benefit.”

Dr Mahiben Maruthappu, NHS England’s Innovation Adviser, said: “Innovation is key to a viable NHS. Following a record-breaking year that benefited millions of patients, the NHS Accelerator is now backing 8 ground-breaking innovations, with technologies that can slash mortality rates and save the NHS millions.”